Life-saving equipment installed in Netherlee

Gillian Loney

A state-of-the-art defibrillator has been installed on Netherlee’s main street in memory of local boy Craig Stokes.

Passers by may have noticed the bright yellow box on the side wall at 580 Clarkston Road, which can now be accessed by members of the public — who could use it to save a life.

The defibrillator was funded by Netherlee and Stamperland Community Council, and by the Craig Stokes HART Fund — a charity set up by 14-year-old Craig’s family after he passed away in 2005, from Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome.

It’s the latestinstallation by Craig’s parents, Dawn and Brian Stokes, with previous projects at Williamwood and St Ninian’s high schools, Netherlee and Stamperland parish churches, Eastwood Recreation Centre, Muirend Pavilion, Clarkston Halls, Stamperland Community and Social Club and The Boathouse Cafe at Rouken Glen.

Brian commented: “We must thank the outgoing Netherlee and Stamperland Community Council, and in particular their chair Bill Considine, for their cooperation and organisation in achieving the installation of this defibrillator in Netherlee, as well as the local businesses who contributed to the cost of installing the box, and Centurion Signs in East Kilbride for their generous donation of the signage for the box.

“This represents a huge step forward for the residents of Netherlee and Stamperland as it gives everybody access to this device.

“It is 10 years since we lost Craig, and it is fitting that the machine is located in the lane where the paramedic, who did not have a defibrillator, tried to save him.”

The box has a keypad lock, and users can obtain the combination by calling East Renfrewshire Council’s CCTV control centre on 0800 013 0076.

An operator at the control centre — manned 24 hours a day — will pass on the code to open the box, and contact emergency services on the caller’s behalf.

A further machine will be installed in the near future to the wall of Greenbank Church, Clarkston — a project jointly funded by the outgoing Clarkston Community Council and the Craig Stokes HART Fund.